Use of population-weighted Estimated Average Requirements as a basis for Daily Values on food labels.

In both Canada and the United States, nutrition labeling is now mandatory for most packaged foods. The labeling is intended to help consumers select foods that can contribute to a healthful diet, but current label values are based on outdated notions of nutrient requirements. The Committee on Use of Dietary Reference Intakes in Nutrition Labeling has recommended that the reference values used for nutrition labeling be based on a population-weighted Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for any nutrient for which requirements have been estimated. This value approximates the median of the distribution of nutrient requirements for individuals who are members of the target population for food labels. It provides the most scientifically valid, single point of comparison for an appraisal of the probable contribution of a specific food to the overall nutrient needs of individuals in the target population. In contrast, a reference value based on a population coverage approach would understate the nutrient contribution of the food item relative to the requirements of the vast majority of individuals in the target population and thus offer misinformation rather than positive guidance to the consumer.